sequence – generate a list based on a number sequence

Synopsis

  • generates a sequence of items. You can specify a start value, an end value, an optional “stride” value that specifies the number of steps to increment the sequence, and an optional printf-style format string.

  • Arguments can be specified as key=value pair strings or as a shortcut form of the arguments string is also accepted: [start-]end[/stride][:format].

  • Numerical values can be specified in decimal, hexadecimal (0x3f8) or octal (0600).

  • Starting at version 1.9.2, negative strides are allowed.

  • Generated items are strings. Use Jinja2 filters to convert items to preferred type, e.g. {{ 1 + item|int }}.

  • See also Jinja2 range filter as an alternative.

Parameters

Parameter Choices/Defaults Configuration Comments
count
number
Default:
0
number of elements in the sequence, this is not to be used with end
end
number
Default:
0
number at which to end the sequence, dont use this with count
format
-
return a string with the generated number formatted in
start
number
Default:
0
number at which to start the sequence
stride
number
increments between sequence numbers, the default is 1 unless the end is less than the start, then it is -1.

Examples

- name: create some test users
  user:
    name: "{{ item }}"
    state: present
    groups: "evens"
  with_sequence: start=0 end=32 format=testuser%02x

- name: create a series of directories with even numbers for some reason
  file:
    dest: "/var/stuff/{{ item }}"
    state: directory
  with_sequence: start=4 end=16 stride=2

- name: a simpler way to use the sequence plugin create 4 groups
  group:
    name: "group{{ item }}"
    state: present
  with_sequence: count=4

- name: the final countdown
  debug: msg={{item}} seconds to detonation
  with_sequence: end=0 start=10

Return Values

Common return values are documented here, the following are the fields unique to this lookup:

Key Returned Description
_list
list
A list containing generated sequence of items


Status

Authors

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Hint

Configuration entries for each entry type have a low to high priority order. For example, a variable that is lower in the list will override a variable that is higher up.